Page 32 of Vengeful Secret

“If you’re sure…”

Gray stands up. “Of course I’m sure. I can have two bedrooms cleared out for you inside an hour.”

“I’ll have to pick Ciara up from pre-school," I tell him. “Get some of my things together.”

“I’ll send two of my men with you to keep you safe.”

“That won’t be necessary,” I argue, but Gray just stares at me, and I sigh. “All right. I’ll be back as soon as I’m packed.”

“You and your daughter will stay here until this is resolved,” he says, leaving no room for me to change his mind.

Gray’s dead serious about this, and I understand why.

While we’re close, he can keep an eye on us.

I didn’t expect all this, though. I had thought that maybe he’d assign some men to follow me, stake out my place.

I didn’t know he was going to ask me and Ciara to move in.

I nod and stand up while Gray makes a phone call.

As he does, presumably asking two of his men to follow me, I trail out into the hallway, looking at the family portraits on the walls.

As I look, someone comes out of the room next to me, startling me.

I move aside, but then I see that it’s Lara, Gray's sister. Lara and I had been acquaintances in high school, and she beams when she sees me.

“Sutton!” She comes toward me, giving me a big hug. “It’s been too long.”

“It has been,” I murmur.

Lara glances toward Gray’s study. “Are you two…?”

I shake my head.

“Nothing like that. I just… need some help. Gray’s going to be allowing me to stay here for a little while, until things calm down for me.”

Lara frowns. “I hope everything’s all right.”

“Me, too.” I give her a weak smile.

“Gray will take care of it,” she says resolutely, and then she smiles at me. “When will you be moving in?”

“As soon as I’m done packing,” I tell her. “I have to pick up my daughter?—”

Lara interrupts me, her eyes widening. “You’re a mommy? I hadn’t heard!”

“Yes, I am.” I plaster on a smile. “You’ll get to meet her in a few hours.”

“I'm sorry for your troubles, but I'm glad to see you again, Sutton,” Lara says seriously, taking my hands in hers.

I smile at her. “Thank you, Lara. It’s good to see you, too.”

“It’s been too long,” she says, ushering me to her room. “We have to catch up.”

“Not much to catch up on. I’ve just been living life, you know, the regular.”

“You’re a mommy,” she gushes. “How’s that going?”

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